My AC keeps freezing up all the time… but aren’t air conditioners supposed to be freezing?!
We’re talking about those moments where the AC takes its job a bit too seriously and (ironically) burns itself out. It can come in the form of hearing noises, smelling smoke, or something as simple as it just not working anymore.
Whatever the reason that made you wonder why your AC keeps freezing up all the time, rest assured knowing that this 2022 simple guide should help ease your worry and answer some questions you may have!
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Our AC Keeps Freezing… Why?!
There are a few reasons as to what actually caused your AC to stop working from freezing up. Before we get into the list of possible things that went wrong, you should first check the supply registers in your house. These are the little vents in the walls that let the cool air in from the AC. If these feel warm to you, then it’s probably ice trapped on the evaporator coils.
How it got there is most likely one of the following reasons:
- Something is blocking the airflow — if there’s a lot of dust in your vents or furniture accidentally blocking one of the supply registers, then this could lead to humidity settling on the coils and freezing.
- Dirty air filters — if you can’t remember the last time you changed the air filters in your AC, chances are that’s what is causing the AC to keep freezing. It’s all about keeping the airflow moving.
- Expanding refrigerant — anything that causes a change in pressure (air temperature, lines not connected properly, clogged filters, etc.) could lead to the refrigerant in the AC expanding too much. This leads to it getting too cold and freezing the entire unit.
To be on the safe side, it’s important to call a technician to inspect the unit and vents to see why your AC keeps freezing. This is especially true when it comes to anything involving refrigerant as the material is highly toxic.
How Long Does It Take to Thaw?
This answer depends on how large the unit is, but typically it shouldn’t take longer than 24 hours.
However, as Southwest Florida heat can quickly make it unbearable without an AC, it is recommended that you start by trying to thaw the entire unit within 1-3 hours. Then, if there’s still ice in the unit after that, continue thawing in one-hour increments.
This should bring the total thawing time down to only what is necessary to help keep you and your family out of the Florida heat for too long. And don’t be afraid to run as many fans as you’d like; you’re going to need them!
How Do I Prevent My AC from Freezing?
Thankfully, preventing your AC from freezing is as simple as three easy steps.
Keep Air Vents Clear of All Debris and Dirt
As stated before, you want to keep the vents as clean and clear as possible. Make sure there’s no furniture in the way and keep the vents clean by vacuuming and/or dusting often.
Regularly Change Your AC Filter
As a general rule of thumb, you should be changing your AC filter once every three months. With COVID-19 still a concern, the CDC recommends a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to help “catch” the respiratory droplets that can carry the COVID-19 virus.
Have a Technician Do the Upkeep
While you’re replacing your AC filter, be sure to have the technician check on these parts as well (if they aren’t already) during the inspection:
- blower fan
- condensate drain line
- refrigerant leaks
Who Should I Call to Fix This?
Home-Tech, of course! With the Home-Tech Gold Service Agreement, repairs for issues like this and many more are covered at no charge* to you!
Call (800) 800-8356 Ext. 2 to speak to one of our representatives today and get that Home-Tech home warranty coverage!
*See official Service Agreement for details.